Raphael the Raven (also known by the shortened name Raphael Raven) is the leader of the Ravens and first appears as the boss of the fifth world in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Initially, he is an ordinary Raven but is magically enlarged by Kamek to fight the Yoshis. Even after he is defeated, he remains huge.

When Blue Yoshi first meets Raphael, he is an ordinary Raven. However, Kamek appears and magically enhances him, increasing his size and strength. Then, Raphael slams into Blue Yoshi, sending it and Baby Mario flying to a small moon. Additionally, the force of the attack makes the Yoshi lose all its eggs. Raphael then launches himself to the moon and prepares for battle.

Raphael fights by chasing and ramming into Blue Yoshi around the moon to send Baby Mario flying. He also attacks by jumping into the air and slamming the ground, creating shockwaves that circle the moon. The moon's interior is quartered by two Stumps extending its diameter, the ends of which jut out from two points on the surface. Yoshi must Ground Pound one of these while Raphael is on the opposite end to damage him. With each hit, Raphael becomes redder, angrier and faster. After three successful hits, Blue Yoshi defeats Raphael and Raphael becomes a constellation in the sky.

Raphael the Raven returns in the game Tetris Attack, allied with the Shy Guys. In this game, Raphael is not considered an enemy. He is also a playable character, replacing the moon fairy Seren from the original Japanese version. He is in the eighth level and is the last character to be saved from Bowser's and Kamek's brainwashing.

Although Raphael the Raven did not appear as a boss in Yoshi's Island DS, he still makes a cameo. In the intro, one part shows a group of bosses from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, including Raphael and the others.

Although Raphael the Raven does not appear as a boss in Yoshi's New Island, in World 2, the Kamek mini-boss battle is similar to the Raphael the Raven boss battle. A particularly-large Raven also appears, of which the internal filename, Big Kyutyan, is a romanization of Raphael's Japanese name.

Raphael the Raven reappears in Paper Mario. In this game, Raphael is the leader of a tribe of reformed Ravens that live in peace with the Yoshis of Lavalava Island. He lives in nest in a tree in Jade Jungle and has become a legend to the Yoshis (as no one except the Village Leader can remember actually seeing him). He has the ability to communicate with both Mario and his Ravens. Raphael helps Mario by ordering his Ravens to build a pulley contraption to take Mario and his allies to Mt. Lavalava, site of the fifthStar Spirit and the Lava Piranha. He also gives Mario the Ultra Stone, an item that allows Mario's party members to become even more powerful.

Later in the game, he writes to Sushie a letter which the player can read at the Post Office in Toad Town. In the letter, he asks whether he can provide help for Sushie, such as helping her climb the tree or cooking things she wants to eat.

The basically laid-back Ravens come in several sizes. The smaller ones travel in flocks or traipse around small platforms all day long. The biggest of their breed is called Raphael the Raven, and his enormous size renders most direct attacks useless. Instead of fighting, Raphael and the Ravens helped Mario out in Paper Mario.

Digga-Leg from Super Mario Galaxy 2 has a similar battle style to Raphael in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Coincidentally, both are fought in space.

The Raphael Raven boss battle is the only instance in which Baby Mario does not cry when he falls off Yoshi's back, but he can still be taken away by the Toadies, possibly referencing how there is no sound in space.